Open-air pop concert
The traditional open-air concert of the Pop Department will take place on 27 June 2026 at 7 p.m. in the courtyard of the HfK (conducted by Prof. Dr. V. Alcántara and Prof. Jochen Roth). The concert will showcase a variety of genres and ensembles from the world of popular music.
From solo performances and a cappella pieces to pop combos and big bands, the students will present their passion for music that is firmly anchored at the HfK. Musical forms of expression from jazz, pop and rock have been linked to church music practice in Bayreuth since 1995. The HfK, then still a technical academy, was the first institution in Germany to integrate this subject into church music education.
Conductors:
Prof. Jochen Roth
Prof. Dr Victor Alcántara
Admission is free! Donations are welcome.
Popular music has a long tradition at the university and has been an integral part of the educational portfolio since 1995. For 30 years, with an ear always on the pulse of the times, the practical orientation of the programme has responded to the growing demand for professionally grounded popular music in the church music profession. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. Victor Alcántara and Prof. Jochen Roth. In the course of the programme, renowned guest lecturers also enrich the continuing education programme with instrumental and vocal workshops, providing additional impetus for future careers.
Popular music is present in many degree programmes in different ways: as a major subject in church music studies, with a focus on conducting pop and gospel choirs in conducting studies, and in the form of a wide range of freely selectable electives. These can also be chosen as part of continuing professional development alongside work. It is the sole focus of the Master's programme in instrumental/vocal music conducting
. Practical experience can be gained within and with various ensembles through networking: the ensemble "Stimmwerk" is the vocal jazz-rock-pop ensemble at the university, conducted by Jochen Roth. The big bands of the University of Bayreuth are led by university lecturers Victor Alcántara and Eckard Bosch. Internal and public class evenings, summer open-air concerts, competitions and contributions to online concert formats are further important aspects of the multifaceted popular music scene in Bayreuth. Have
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